the low down

From the moment my dad bought me a GameBoy Pocket at the age of four, gaming has been a central part of my life. I play all types of games—FPS, racing sims, RTS, RPG, and third-person—on PC, console, and handheld. Despite what anyone says, the PSVita remains one of my favorite consoles! At home, I develop games using Unreal Engine 5 and C++, and at work, I use a proprietary engine. I draw inspiration from the games I play, turning ideas into sketches and developing them further.

Gaming has been a lifelong passion, starting from that GameBoy Pocket. Every game and console I've ever owned is still part of my collection. Gaming has helped me through difficult times; picking up a controller or sitting at my PC desk offers a respite from real-world problems. Games evoke a range of emotions—from joy to frustration to tears over a compelling story. This emotional connection is what makes games special to me. Being part of a team that creates these experiences for players is the most fulfilling aspect of game development. Games have the power to unite people, teach new skills, and transport players to new worlds. My fascination with how games are made drives me to understand the mechanics behind the scenes, from the function of a single button to enemy behavior.

I attend gaming conferences like EGX and PLAY Expo every year, and I also participate in smaller local events. I'm active on several forums, including PlayStation and Steam.

Outside of gaming, I’ve been playing the guitar for 16 years, teaching myself to play. Like gaming, music provides an escape from reality, and I occasionally write music when I'm not coding. I'm also an avid adventure board game player, regularly playing Dungeons and Dragons and HeroQuest with friends, and we sometimes organize events with larger groups. Whether it's my PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, or Steam Deck, you'll always find me immersed in a game.

Additionally, I've worked for both indie studios and AAA companies, contributing to multiple games across the industry. I'm currently finishing my Master’s in Computer Science, set to graduate in October, and I’m preparing to start a PhD in April 2025, focusing on long-term learning and adaptive AI systems for video games. My journey in gaming and development is ongoing, and I'm excited for what the future holds.